Chapter 76

The main venue for this academic exchange was still at Exson.

In truth, it was more like a social gathering. Apart from the opportunity to meet various big shots they wouldn't normally encounter, the overall atmosphere was very jovial and relaxed.

Younger students treated it as an outing, while juniors and seniors with access to the Insectoid Network were busy networking and making small talk, preparing for their future careers after graduation.

Among these students, the topic that excited them the most was the unattainable Imperial Research Institute. Recent admissions and the return of the institute's director were hot topics.

"One of our seniors in his final year got selected in the institute's first public recruitment in years. How many did your school get?"

"It's quite strange. I used some of my family's Insectoid Network connections to inquire, but the recruitment is over, yet the spots haven't been filled. There's actually one spot left..."

Yale and Adelaide moved silently through the crowd, heading straight for a lecture by a renowned mentor. They chose seats near the center in the front rows.

"There are five minutes left."

Yale glanced at the time. He had intended to check his light computer for messages, but considering the multitude of insects around, he decided to close his eyes and rest before the session began.

"Hmm? The person two rows ahead of me seems to be...?"

"Really?! Wow, I can't believe I'm stuttering?!?"

The appearance and name of an S-class Male Worm Sovereign were public knowledge, and all the students were aware of Yale's existence. However, they generally maintained a reverent distance from him.

Upon realizing that he was seated within the auditorium, the surrounding area fell silent to avoid disturbing His Highness during his rest.

"Shh, don't make noise... Let's move a few rows back, I can't seem to stop talking, and I might disturb His Highness."

Yale, on the other hand, felt a bit uncomfortable as his ears twitched. He opened his eyes and scanned the stage.

"Why has it suddenly become so quiet? Did the event start early?"

Adelaide, benefiting from the sudden silence near him, spoke with a leisurely tone.

"No, you've been noticed. The seats around us have emptied out."

Before Yale could react, an elderly but still energetic scholar entered, surveying the room.

The auditorium was almost full, with a conspicuous empty circle in the middle. Upon seeing the male insect within that circle, the scholar paused.

"Students..."

He cleared his throat and got straight to the point, conjuring a hovering light screen in mid-air to begin his lecture.

"..."

Not long into the lecture, the back door of the hall silently slid open, and a group of scholars entered, taking their seats at the rear to observe the class.

Leading the way was the Director of the Empire's Research Institute, followed closely by Chancellor Norman, then a string of research titans from various fields, all insects whose names would likely be found in textbooks.

"One would think the Director rushed here right after a meeting. Is there something urgent he needs to attend to later?"

After five minutes, a scholar, puzzled, furrowed his brow and whispered to the composed Norman.

But before Norman could respond, another scholar leaned over to whisper in his ear.

"Haven't you heard? This year, the Research Institute intentionally left one spot unfilled, regardless of how outstanding the applicants might be... There's more to this story than meets the eye!"

The inquiring scholar glanced at Director Mord, who was absorbed in thought, utterly perplexed.

"But how does this relate to observing the class? In the past, it was enough to make a few rounds of inspection. There's an official symposium coming up, and we can't afford to waste too much time on subject presentations!"

Norman's lips twitched, but he chose to ignore the insects' remarks.

Publicly, these scholars were respected figures before their students, but behind closed doors, they were like mischievous old men – either pedantic and nagging or eager to chime in on everything. It was... rather unbecoming.

However, apart from him, there should be a few other insects who were aware of the underlying reasons.

Why had they suspended the extraterrestrial planet exploration to return to the main planet? Why had they suddenly started public recruitment? And why was there such urgency after the brief meeting to attend this lecture?

It was all for a glimpse of his former student.

Norman couldn't help but follow Director Mord's gaze, looking at the male insect sitting straight in the front row. For a moment, he felt a mixture of emotions.

...Who could have predicted that the student in question was none other than His Excellency Yale? Now, things had truly become complicated.

"Silence."

A murmur of whispers filled the air, greatly disrupting the atmosphere. Mord frowned and reprimanded in a low voice.

With a grave expression, he glanced at the scholar on stage who was delivering an impassioned speech. After a moment, his gaze shifted to the round, fluffy nape in the front row, and he huffed in disdain.

In the middle of the lecture, Yale turned around as if sensing something. However, the last row was empty, with nothing there.

Strange, he thought he had just heard a familiar voice.

*

The symposium would last the whole day, with each presentation condensed into about half an hour, allowing students to quickly grasp the latest research achievements and explore their interests.

Yale had already picked out the sessions he was interested in beforehand. By the time he finished listening, it was already the midday break.

Following the crowd, he arrived at an exchange hall and found a spot at a long table, waiting for the afternoon session.

Soon, volunteers brought over fruit platters and snack trays. Yale picked an apple and took a bite, engaging Adelaide in a casual discussion about the previous topic.

"…I've heard that Director Mord from the Empire's Research Institute is also here."

Startled by this, Yale paused for a moment before seeing Adelaide gesture towards the front.

Sure enough, a group of scholars entered, and the lead one was a worm with a very familiar appearance.

"Scatter! Don't crowd! Save your questions for the assembly later...!"

This textbook scholar caused quite a commotion, but they were quickly dispersed. Director Mord's face remained dark throughout, maintaining that expression even as he entered the inner hall.

"He still looks quite intimidating."

Yale coughed softly, finishing his apple in a few bites. "But it doesn't affect his reputation in the academic world. Wherever he goes, worms welcome him."

Adelaide glanced at him.

When it came to popularity, an S-ranked male worm would cause chaos wherever they went.

It was just that due to his usual low profile, the school had done a lot of preparatory work in advance, forcefully suppressing the students' curiosity and desire to investigate, allowing this individual to have a peaceful daily life.

"After all, he's only here for a short while. There's no need to regulate or restrain the students beforehand. It's normal for some chaos to ensue."

Yale pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands, pretending not to understand what Adelaide was implying. "Where were we just now...?"

Intending to continue their previous conversation, Yale sensed a gaze studying him amidst the subtle glances from others, making it particularly noticeable.

Though the attention was harmless, it made Yale frown slightly. He followed the line of sight and looked back – towards the inner chamber?

Adelaide had smoothly picked up where they left off, but halfway through his argument, he noticed that the male insectoid seemed distracted. "…Is something the matter?"

"Nothing." Perhaps it was just his imagination.

Yale retracted his gaze, recollected the female's words, and shifted the discussion to another angle.

Meanwhile, in the inner chamber.

Ai Ke gave his mentor an odd look, thinking he might be having another coughing fit. He poured a cup of hot water and offered it to him.

"Teacher?"

Mord accepted the water with a sullen expression, gesturing for Ai Ke to step back. Recalling how close he'd come to being caught peeking, his face darkened further.

"You little rascal, just a promotion and you've become so perceptive... Speaking of which, did you bring those items?"

Muttering under his breath, he hesitantly asked Ai Ke. Upon receiving an affirmative answer, his expression improved slightly.

"Teacher, that spot..."

Ai Ke said with some difficulty, "I'll be leaving for another off-world expedition soon. This symposium might be my last chance. Should I try to feel out the situation first?"

Mord's eyes widened as if he was about to lose his temper, but in the end, he restrained himself. He fell into deep thought, his face dark, and after a long while, he waved his hand in frustration. "Let's see how it goes. There's still time!"

"Alright then. Take care and rest well. I'll go fetch some materials."

Ai Ke let out a silent sigh, gave a brief farewell, and quickly exited the inner hall through a side door.

...

Students came and went around him, with some sitting down to discuss the lecture content in hushed voices. However, they generally kept their distance, sitting two or three seats away for a break.

"Why is the snack tray in front of you... piled so high?"

Adelaide's peripheral vision caught sight of the food on the table, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.

The snack tray had originally been sparsely arranged as mere decorations, but in front of the male insect, it was piled up like a small mountain, with many high-end brands included.

"I wonder if a volunteer specifically delivered them?"

Yale looked bewildered, comparing his situation with that of the other insects. He felt like a sore thumb; to the uninformed, it might seem as if he were at a wholesale market rather than an academic symposium.

With a serious expression, he grabbed a handful of snacks from the mountain and stashed them in his pocket. After sharing two more handfuls with Adelaide, the small tray finally looked normal.

"…Actually, we could switch places."

Both of Adelaide's lab coat pockets bulged with snacks, creating a somewhat comical sight. After a moment of silence, Adelaide suggested helplessly.

"I'm tired, too lazy to move."

Yale leaned back in his chair, picked a chocolate from the tray, tore open the wrapper, and popped it into his mouth. The sweetness caused him to furrow his brow.

However, the taste was quite familiar...

Before he could figure out where this familiarity came from, he caught a glimpse of a hurried figure out of the corner of his eye. The recognizable freckles and thick-rimmed glasses made Yale freeze momentarily.

"I'll be away for a while."

Without much thought, he hastily bid Adelaide farewell and followed the figure out, eventually reaching a side corridor near a more secluded conference hall.

"Senior?"

Hearing the voice behind him, Ai Ke paused, pushed up his glasses, and turned around with a smile. "Long time no see, little junior."

"...Long time no see."

Yale wasn't quite sure why he had chased after Ai Ke, but perhaps some nostalgia lingered in his subconscious.

Unable to resist his curiosity about recent events concerning his senior research partner and Professor Mord, he fell silent for a moment before initiating conversation, asking about the latest developments.

"Everything's been going well. The only issue was that Professor Mord insisted on collecting a particular mineral, and he almost got his leg bitten off by a beast guarding it. He was barely rescued in time."

"However, that experiment was incredibly successful... It was an innovative project, and everyone was very interested. It would have been great if Junior had been there too."

Ai Ke gazed at the dazed Yale, a deeper smile flickering in his eyes.

He had intentionally played up his suffering before launching into a familiar nostalgic narrative. True to form, he saw the male insect's resolve falter.

"Back then, we were all in the dark about the specifics, and it wasn't our place to pry. Although it's long overdue, and you might not need it now—"

Ai Ke suddenly sighed, dropping the persuasive act. His expression softened.

"But I still want to say that no matter what challenges you face, you can seek help from us. This isn't just my sentiment, nor that of the other insects, but also our teacher's."

Yale's pupils constricted, his hand hanging by his side trembled for an instant before involuntarily curling into a fist.

The light in the side corridor was dim, except for a bright spot near the exit.

The young female leaned against the wall, unassuming in appearance but exuding an undeniable grace.

Back in the laboratory, it was Ai Ke who had helped him adapt and integrate. In their hasty farewell, besides sending an email to Mentor Mord, he had also sent one to Ai Ke.

"I know... I'm sorry."

Recalling that sincere and lengthy reply, Yale's eyes grew slightly warm. He took a deep breath, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"At that time, it was too sudden. My emotions collapsed, and I ran away without dealing with anything properly. I must have worried you all."

"I'm fine now. The one who was most worried was definitely Teacher."

It was the perfect time to play the sympathy card.

Ai Ke pushed up his glasses and revealed his teacher's secrets with a smile. Since he had done so much, there was no point in hiding it. Otherwise, how could he win back his student's heart?

"At that time, when you had an accident, wasn't it in the middle of the night? After Teacher was woken up, he rushed straight to the surgery room and waited outside for an entire night until he was sure you were safe."

Director Mord's notorious bad temper and dark face were well-known within the industry. No matter when, he always seemed fierce. However, when experiments faced setbacks, he remained an unshakable and composed pillar of support.

That night, it was the first time Yale saw his teacher lose his composure. He frantically pulled nurses and doctors aside, asking about the situation, and his face turned almost ashen after signing the critical condition notice. He paced anxiously outside the operation room for half the night, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

Yale stared blankly at Ai Ke, clearly hearing about these events for the first time.

Back then, he had been unconscious for three days before waking up. His physical injuries had long since healed, but his spirit remained weary and unwilling to awaken. He spent his days in a daze on the hospital bed.

Unbeknownst to him, there was an elderly individual who had been tirelessly working behind the scenes, plagued with guilt. But once he woke up, this person retreated into the shadows, afraid of provoking him further, only daring to observe secretly.

"The moment you woke up, you were eager to leave without properly recovering. Your teacher was furious when they received that email and your request for a leave of absence, but they still went to the Starport to see you off that day."

Ai Ke had accompanied them that day too.

The male insect sitting on the waiting bench wore a black coat, his already slender figure appearing even more gaunt in the wind. His disheveled hair couldn't conceal his pale, exhausted face.

That humble, gentle, and sharp-witted facade seemed to vanish like a bubble, as if it had never existed, leaving behind only a shadowy outline of his emaciated form.

He didn't bring much luggage, as if he were embarking on a spontaneous trip, casually slinging an empty bag over his shoulder... It was a sight that would worry any insect.

Yale fell silent for a moment before asking, "Did you all board the starship as well?"

"No, we didn't."

Ai Ke chuckled and recounted what happened next,

"At first, I thought, as a male insect, you'd have food and shelter wherever you went, so I wasn't too concerned... But then I discovered that you went to Altair, a backwater garbage planet at the very edge of the galaxy."

What kind of welfare system could a junk planet have? Males would be in even greater danger there. Their slightly relieved hearts immediately tensed up again.

"You applied for a job at the library back then, right? Teacher used some means to establish connections and bought you a house under the pretext of employee benefits."

No wonder.

He had been puzzled at the time. How could such a poverty-stricken library afford to provide employee benefits, allowing long-term residence without rent?

Turned out that all their good fortune was backed by someone's anxious efforts.

"..."

For a moment, no insect spoke. Yale took a deep breath, unsure how to face Ai Ke with the appropriate expression.

The female insect across from them, on the other hand, wore an entertained look.

"Sigh, how did Teacher reply to your email? Did they scold you or something? I'm so curious!"

Yale coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, there's still no reply. I thought Teacher was so angry that they deleted the email."

Thus, he still didn't know the status of his academic records – whether his leave of absence was properly processed or had been left unattended, turning into a mess.

"Relax, I think the teacher just doesn't know how to respond, not that they're deliberately ignoring you."

Recalling those moments when he occasionally left the lab and passed by the illuminated office, he could see through the crack in the door how the teacher pored over reports about Yale's recent situation with a somber expression.

That unanswered email had likely been read many times over, with various responses carefully considered. Yet, after all this time, it remained an unread reply, a blank space.

Aside from anger, pain, and self-reproach, there must have been a great deal of regret as well.

That dazzling and proud student hadn't thrived, instead meeting a bleak end. The teacher might be wondering if there was any hope for a comeback, and that would be a prolonged torment and agony for someone in their position.

"Don't judge the teacher by their stern and cold demeanor. They've always been concerned about you. This intake of new students is routine, but the teacher intentionally reserved a spot for you."

However, Yale never showed up, and the teacher's face had turned as dark as thunder then.

"I...I'm unsure if I can adapt. I feel like if anything else were to happen, it would create a huge burden for the research institute," Yale said with a brief swallow, his voice strained.

This had always been his concern, but fortunately, the project was nearing its end back then, so no significant delay had occurred.

Now, regardless of the situation, he had been away for so long; it was impossible not to feel disconnected.

Ai Ke was taken aback for a moment, not expecting that Yale's concerns lay in these matters. He shrugged, his voice light and cheerful.

"Relax, unexpected events happen to everyone. It's already remarkable to grasp the present and see the path ahead, both the one you're on and the one you're about to take."

He didn't view Yale's worries as significant; there was still plenty of time, after all.

Put bluntly, they were all going to die eventually, so they might as well follow their hearts while they could.

"And besides, we have the Marshal, don't we? With him watching over, he won't let anything happen to his junior easily."

Yale blinked slowly, realizing that he had momentarily hit a mental roadblock. All he needed was to change his perspective.

"Alright."

He smiled abruptly, his brows and eyes softening. "I'll give it another try, then... Hopefully, this year's admissions won't be too strict."

Despite Ai Ke's mention of reserving a spot for him, it was impossible for Yale to return so effortlessly; he would have to undergo various assessments and meet the required standards.

Yale had already experienced firsthand the severity and meticulousness of Teacher Mord back when he was still in the research institute.

"In that case, remember to talk to Teacher yourself. I won't be the middleman in this."

Seeing that his persuasion had been successful, Ai Ke relaxed and, with a smile, fished a handful of candies from his pocket as a small reunion gift.

"I'll be off first. There will be a grand lecture soon, where Teacher will be giving a speech and answering questions. You can find Teacher after it's over."

Yale nodded, watching Ai Ke turn and leave before realizing the candies in his palm—assuming he wasn't mistaken, they were from the same brand as those in the snack tray earlier.

...

The symposium was scheduled for the evening. Mentors and students who had obtained their qualifications gathered inside. Following the established agenda, the final segment was the question-and-answer session.

At the beginning, the atmosphere was highly enthusiastic, with both students and mentors eagerly posing questions. However, after an hour or two, the number of queries gradually dwindled.

It wasn't until the entire auditorium fell silent that Mord deliberately increased the volume of the microphone and repeated his question twice.

"Are there no more insects with questions?"

A few more students hesitantly stood up, but as their queries were rather straightforward, the session ended quickly after brief answers were given.

Scanning the room, Mord's expression gradually soured. With a stern face, he repeated himself, "Are there no more insects with questions?"

Not only were the students below perplexed, even the mentors started whispering amongst themselves, clearly clueless about the situation at hand.

Norman let out a soft sigh, deciding to intervene if there was still no response after a minute.

"I have a question."

A clear voice rang out, breaking the awkward silence, and countless eyes instinctively turned towards the source of the sound.

Yale sighed gently, attaching the mini microphone provided with his seat behind his ear. Amidst the watchful gaze of the crowd, he stood up.

Ignoring Adelaide and the other students' astonished looks, he lifted his gaze to meet Mord's scrutinizing stare, letting out a light chuckle.

"I'd like to inquire if the Imperial Research Institute is still accepting students at the moment?"

The surrounding students were in an uproar, clearly unaware of the situation unfolding before them.

However, neither Director Mord nor His Excellency Yale were individuals they dared to provoke. Scanning their surroundings, they lowered their heads and began frantically typing on forums, seeking out those with insider information.

"What's going on? The institute finished admissions ages ago. Does His Excellency want to bypass the system and get in...?"

"Hmm, something doesn't seem quite right. With His Excellency's status, he could enter anywhere he desires. Why would he bring up this question now? Is there a special reason behind it?"

Director Mord seems to be in a rather unpleasant mood... I hope he wouldn't disregard the prestige of an S-rated male insectoid. If the two of you were to engage in a conflict, what would become of this academy?!(Astonished)

Ai Ke, standing backstage with a beaming smile, clearly reveled in the scene before him. Noticing the fading expression on his mentor's face from the corner of his eye, he secretly sighed.

...Now, being coy is not in vogue. We mustn't scare our Junior Brother back who has just mustered the courage to take a step forward.

Standing under the spotlight, the Arachne was as it always was - back straight, eyes clear, and demeanor neither submissive nor arrogant, a characteristic that never varied with changes in status.

Mord met Yale's gaze, his face dark with a moment of brooding silence. The last trace of discomfort in his heart quietly dissipated as he sternly spoke, "Come on then."

Amidst the commotion, Yale secretly heaved a sigh of relief, intending to express his gratitude before taking his seat without causing a scene.

However, Mord cleared his throat and, in a deep voice that addressed the perplexed swarm, explained:

"Allow me to introduce you all to my most prideful student, Yale."

His voice silenced the whispers in the auditorium, echoing through the spacious venue, even producing a slight reverberation.

Yale's pupils constricted, leaving him momentarily rooted to the spot.

His...most prideful student?

Ai Ke also paused, then happily pushed up his glasses.

Well, Teacher knows how to talk. Now I don't have to worry.

Director Mord, however, was clearly not one for sentimentality for long. His expression darkened, and he grumbled irritably.

"As for why it's 'used to be,' you well know the reason!"

"The project under your charge, I've passed it on to your senior. After the assessment, you'll assist him. When my mood improves, I'll consider promoting you. Seriously..."

With a tense expression, he pounded the desk, clearly dissatisfied, though to those who knew him, this wasn't anger but rather a sign of embarrassment.

Now, the question was how to wrap up this situation.

Unprepared for this turn of events, Norman let out a sigh.

Yale wore an air of resignation as he drawled, "Yes, Teacher."

Standing in the bright light, he felt a momentary daze, as if invisible gears of fate were meshing precisely, slowly nudging everything back onto its proper course.

And an unpredictable future was irreversibly approaching.